Mark Schneider, CEO of Nestlé S.A. and Phil Murphy, Governor of New Jersey, mark the opening of the new Nestlé Product Technology Center*. (Charles Sykes/AP Images for Nestlé)

Nestlé Health Science today celebrated the inauguration of its new Nestlé Product Technology Center with a ribbon cutting ceremony at the facility in Bridgewater, N.J. The event marks the completion of a three-year, USD 70 million investment to establish a global research and development hub that will advance the company’s offerings in further elevating the power of nutrition to make a positive difference in people’s lives.

The Nestlé Product Technology Center in Bridgewater is the lead Product Technology Center for Nestlé Health Science globally, part of a strong network of R&D centers that drive Nestlé Health Science’s mission to empower healthier lives through nutrition.

“The opening of the Nestlé Product Technology Center comes at an exciting time, when the potential for science-based nutritional solutions is accelerating,” said Thomas Hauser, Senior Vice President, Head of Global Product & Technology Development for Nestlé. “With this advanced center leading the way, we’re able to leverage Nestlé’s global R&D efforts here in New Jersey to rapidly translate science into innovation for consumers, patients and healthcare professionals. We’re also advantaged by the fact that the facility is co-located with the U.S. headquarters of Nestlé Health Science, allowing for deep integration between the R&D and commercial sides of the business in our largest market.”

“Nestlé’s presence in New Jersey is a reflection of our shared commitment to leading the way on innovation and sustainability,” said Governor Phil Murphy. “Their investment here is proof that fostering a stronger, fairer economy provides more growth, not less.”

Home to more than 170 employees, the Bridgewater facility is equipped with advanced capabilities across the R&D lifecycle – from ideation and rapid prototyping to sensory science, production and commercialization. The Nestlé Product Technology Center also plays a critical role in advancing the company’s efforts to reduce packaging and produce lighter weight products, part of Nestlé’s global ambition to make 100 percent of its packaging recyclable or reusable by 2025.

“We approach sustainability as the right way to do business,” said Greg Behar, CEO of Nestlé Health Science. “Our science-driven nutrition portfolio continues to evolve towards cleaner recipes based on more sustainably sourced ingredients, while improving our environmental footprint including packaging.”

The Nestlé Product Technology Center became fully operational in August with the completion of its pilot plant and is already driving innovation. It recently renovated Boost Kid Essentials to reduce sugar, remove artificial colors and simplify ingredients, was instrumental in the launch of Compleat Organic Blends, a line of nutritionally complete tube-feeding formulas that are organic and non-GMO, and introduced new formulas for Boost and Carnation Breakfast Essentials, providing more protein. These launches deliver on consumer demand for simplified formulas, organic alternatives and higher levels of protein. Moving forward, the organization continues to look at consumer needs, the latest science and the latest nutritional guidance to deliver the most advanced products for consumers so that they have options and can choose the best one for them.

“At Nestlé Health Science, our growth strategy is driven by continuing to meet the needs of a diverse set of consumers and patients, aligned with market trends,” said Behar. “This requires agility, faster speed-to-market and greater collaboration as we evolve our core portfolio of products in areas like healthy aging, diabetes and pediatrics, but also as we develop new, valuable nutritional solutions in oncology, food allergies and gut health, among others. We are already seeing the benefits of uniting our R&D and commercial teams in one location, and we are excited about the future as we seek to change the course of health for people and patients in the U.S. and around the world.”

About Nestlé Health Science

Nestlé Health Science, a wholly owned subsidiary of Nestlé S.A., is advancing the therapeutic role of nutrition to change the course of health for consumers, patients and its partners in healthcare. Through innovation and leading edge science, Nestlé Health Science brings forward nutritional therapies with proven clinical, health economic value and quality of life benefits that address a spectrum of ages from pediatric to elderly. Nestlé Health Science employs around 4,400 people worldwide and is headquartered in Epalinges (near Lausanne), Switzerland. For more information, please visit www.nestlehealthscience.us.

About Nestlé R&D

Nestlé has the world's largest private food and nutrition research organization, involving about 5,000 people. With nutrition at its core, Nestlé R&D is committed to make the Nestlé portfolio even tastier and healthier, to fulfil its purpose of enhancing quality of life of people and contributing to a healthier future. In 2017, Nestlé invested about CHF 1.7 billion in R&D.